the men were now enabled to remain on the rock all day,
working at the lighthouse when the tide was low, and betaking themselves
to the beacon when it rose, and leaving it at night; for there was much
to do before this beacon could be made the habitable abode which it
finally became; but it required the strictest attention to the state of
the weather, in case of their being overtaken with a gale, which might
prevent the possibility of their being taken off the rock.

At last the beacon was so far advanced and secured that it was deemed
capable of withstanding any gale that might blow. As yet it was a great
ungainly pile of logs, iron stanchions, and bracing-chains, without
anything that could afford shelter to man from winds or waves, but with
a platform laid from its cross-beams at a considerable height above
high-water mark.

The works on the rock were in this state, when two memorable
circumstances occurred in the Bell Rock annals, to which we shall devote
a separate chapter.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note 1. It was always arranged, however, to have public worship on
Sundays when practicable. And this arrangement was held to during the
continuance of the work. Indeed, the manner in which Mr Stevenson
writes in regard to the conclusion of the day's work at the beacon,
which we have described, shows clearly that he felt himself to be acting
in this matter in accordance with the spirit of our Saviour, who wrought
many of His works of mercy on the Sabbath day. Mr Stevenson writes
thus:--

"All hands having returned to their respective ships, they got a shift
of dry clothes, and some refreshment. Being Sunday, they were
afterwards convened by signal on board of the lighthouse yacht, when
prayers were read, for every heart upon this occasion felt gladness,
and every mind was disposed to be thankful for the happy and
successful termination of the operations of this day."

It is right to add that the men, although requested, were not
constrained to work on Sundays. They were at liberty to decline if they
chose. A few conscientiously refused at first, but were afterwards
convinced of the necessity of working on all opportunities that offered,
and agreed to do so.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

RUBY HAS A RISE IN LIFE, AND A FALL.

James Dove, the blacksmith, had, for some time past, been watching the
advancing of the beacon-works with some interest, and a